Re: ACEN accreditation & Eastern Florida State College

U.S.A. Florida

Published

Hi there,

I'm applying to Eastern Florida State College-Palm Bay for the Jan '15 program....and recently came to find out that EFSC's nursing program isn't nationally accredited through ACEN (formerly NLNAC). Big bummer. I don't think it'll stop me from applying there and maybe even attending if I get accepted but this is totally baffling to me that they don't have this accreditation. If you pull up a FL Board of Nursing list of associate degree RN programs in Florida you'd be hard pressed to find a school at EFSC's level (i.e. - any FL state college or even Keiser, Everest, etc) who doesn't have this accreditation. I included a link on this below.

I've read and talked to people time and time again about how important this accreditation is for your nursing future - in terms of being able to pursue additional degrees, what employers will look at, reciprocity when trying to seek licensure in other states, etc etc. Even one of my science professors at EFSC told me straight up.."if you plan to move out of state, want to do travel nursing, want to get a BSN at a school that's not UCF, work in a major metro area, etc....best to find an accredited program."

Anyway, I'm posting this not only to get the word out but also to solicit opinions from students, hopeful applicants and EFSC nursing graduates on the accrediation issue. I know it's a solid program and that it's obviously turned out tons of quality graduates who I'm sure are doing great things. I don't plan on sticking around Brevard though and I definitely want to get my BSN/MSN, and really don't want my hands tied or options totally limited because I decided to attend an unaccredited program. :( Thoughts??

http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/MQANEPC/SearchResults.aspx

TEAS is given more weight than GPA but if you can get above an 80 (the higher the better) and a good GPA you should have a good chance. It is a 4 semester course with first semester being Adult Health 1 and Pharmacology plus 1 day a week at a clinical location. No classes during the summer so it gives you the abaility to take other classes should you need them. The advisors are very helpful and to be honest with you, it was such a hassle at EFSC dealing with the Financial Aid dept..Polk feels like a dream dealing with their financial aid people.

Sweet thanks for the insights. I'm going to take a ride over to Winter Haven on 9/2 and check it all out and meet with an advisor, financial aid, admissions, etc. I think I have a decent shot at getting in, I just need to wrap my head around potentially upending everything, quitting my job and moving to Lakeland of all places in like 4 months haha. Hopefully your program is off to a great start. Can't believe it's FALL semester already.

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It seems that the accreditation issue is poorly understood. Perhaps it's the slew of abbreviations that one has to sift through. Just to clarify, the VA accepts NLN or CCNE accreditation and EFSC has NLN. I did my research before choosing this program and I don't regret it for a second. 3rd semester in and I am quite pleased, and I have met quite a few in the class that just graduated who have employment and haven't even passed boards yet.

Good luck with your school choice!

National League for Nursing - Membership

http://www.vacareers.va.gov/assets/common/print/Nursing_Brochure.pdf

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It seems that the accreditation issue is poorly understood. Perhaps it's the slew of abbreviations that one has to sift through. Just to clarify, the VA accepts NLN or CCNE accreditation and EFSC has NLN. I did my research before choosing this program and I don't regret it for a second. 3rd semester in and I am quite pleased, and I have met quite a few in the class that just graduated who have employment and haven't even passed boards yet.

Good luck with your school choice!

National League for Nursing - Membership

http://www.vacareers.va.gov/assets/common/print/Nursing_Brochure.pdf

Awesome, I appreciate the feedback because I do feel very at home with EFSC and would love to do this nursing program if I get in. I actually recognize your screen name from the Jan 2014 applicant thread...it's amazing how fast a year goes by huh? You'll be done before you know it. Hey quick random q - how many nursing credits are required in the summer(s) during the program and how long is the summer term for nursing classes (6 wk, 8 wk, 12 wk)? Also, what's your actual anticipated end date in summer 2015? Thx :)

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Awesome, I appreciate the feedback because I do feel very at home with EFSC and would love to do this nursing program if I get in. I actually recognize your screen name from the Jan 2014 applicant thread...it's amazing how fast a year goes by huh? You'll be done before you know it. Hey quick random q - how many nursing credits are required in the summer(s) during the program and how long is the summer term for nursing classes (6 wk, 8 wk, 12 wk)? Also, what's your actual anticipated end date in summer 2015? Thx :)

Yep! Almost an entire year under my belt. I feel like I dont even know the girl that started in January =)

In the summer we did 2 sessions, 6 weeks each. The class is split in half, 1/2 does psych and cross cultural nursing and the other 1/2 does OB nursing and at the end of the 6 weeks we switch. It is considered 6 credit hours total for the summer, however it feels like the usual full course load.

We'll be done the 1st week of August. I have already heard that the class ahead of us has their ATT for the most part so they'll be taking the NCLEX at any time.

You have to go into this expecting that school comes #1 and you have to be flexible and just take it day to day...but that's not unique to this program, that's nursing school in general.

Good luck to ya

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Yep! Almost an entire year under my belt. I feel like I dont even know the girl that started in January =)

In the summer we did 2 sessions, 6 weeks each. The class is split in half, 1/2 does psych and cross cultural nursing and the other 1/2 does OB nursing and at the end of the 6 weeks we switch. It is considered 6 credit hours total for the summer, however it feels like the usual full course load.

We'll be done the 1st week of August. I have already heard that the class ahead of us has their ATT for the most part so they'll be taking the NCLEX at any time.

You have to go into this expecting that school comes #1 and you have to be flexible and just take it day to day...but that's not unique to this program, that's nursing school in general.

Good luck to ya

I second this. I ALREADY have a job lined up and I still have 2 semesters to go. You would be amazed at the oppertunitys that open up just by being a student in this program. I have nothing but praise for EFSC and what it offers. It's a great program with great instructors!

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I know this is an older post, but to anyone that is reading it in 2016....EFSC is currently a candidate for this licensure. So, what that means is they have to be set and ready by September 2017 as they became a candidate in 2015. They have to be approved within a 2 year time frame. They just built a new facility in Melbourne so I'm pretty sure we will have full licensure this year. So, anyone who is applying for the Spring semester coming up you should be good to go!

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